#eclipse weavers

Since I only just got back I haven’t had time to finalize this before the actual OOCly eclipse, but I had an idea for a possible little event if anyone’s interested.

Context of the Shafise Tribe: The gist of it is that Colpeia’s Tanari tribe, the Shafise, are also known as the Eclipse Weavers due to their cultural rituals and abilities. They believe that when you die your spirit is sent to the moon, where it exists in a dream-like state (called the Fathom Dream) while you come to terms with the life you’ve just completed. Once you’re at peace, you wait until the next eclipse when your spirit will be delivered to the sun. A stagnant version of your spirit remains on the moon while your core moves on. Within the Sun Mother’s Womb, you wait, until you are reborn into a new life through Her life-giving rays. 

During a solar eclipse, however, not only are satisfied spirits delivered, the Shafise are also granted the ability to lift the veil so they can speak with the spirits in the Fathom Dream who are still not ready to move on. This is in the hopes that reaching out to the living will help them on their journey, or perhaps they can help each other. Unlike the lunar eclipse, the solar eclipse ritual requires that they travel out of the desert if necessary to be within the range of the total eclipse. 

The ritual includes ribbon dancers known as Star Sweepers (inspired loosely by Chinese ribbon dancing), singers known as Crescent Talkers, and three magically lifted ribbon dancers acting as conduits, known as Veils of the Dark Noon. 

Although many of their practices are kept secret, The Ritual of the Crescent Sun is generously open to all peaceful outsiders who long to reach out to their deceased loved ones. When a spirit appears to you, you briefly vanish from the physical plane and join them in the Fathom Dream, until the total eclipse fades and the link is broken. However, despite the attempt to reach out, a spirit may not appear to you, and it may not be the spirit you were expecting. They could be busy or unready to reach the living.

How this can apply to your character: If you want your character to be able to speak with someone who died, this could be their chance. If you want me to play as the spirit who reaches out to them, feel free to ask! I’ll do my best to do them justice. :D

When would this event happen?: Iunno. xD Depends on how much interest there is and when you guys are available. I don’t think anyone is gonna complain if we do it like, even a week or two after the real OOCly eclipse, right? So whenever.

If this is something you’d be down for feel free to either message me via Discord, Battlenet, on Tumblr, or just leave a comment on this thread. Happy eclipse! <3

I’mma tag random people because I don’t know who’d be interested. xD If you’re not tagged it’s not because I ignored you or something, I’m pulling names out of a hat because I literally have no idea. I’m not expecting this to be a huge event but, hey, I figured I could throw it out there, right? :D 

Aranya had been to Tanaris before. Adventures, pursuits, and battles with the Legion’s most recent push into Azeroth had taken her there. But in any of her times coming to the sandy South of Kalimdor, Aranya Ver’Sarn had never been to Land’s End Beach, only flown over it.

It was a delight to see Colpeia’s home here. Charming, with a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of small cacti kept decoratively around the place. The ‘hellos’ once Aranya arrived were warm and brief, and within minutes the two mages were transported by an beautifully made charm of Colpeia’s, which was enchanted to take them to where the rest of the nomadic Shafise were camped, no matter where the other Tanari were.

Aranya had looked around with appreciative eyes for the wondrous aesthetic of the Shafise, and been greeted graciously by the tribe and by Sultana Zahashiq. The celestial hues of the tents and garb of this tribe left the Thalassian feeling a bit strange in her phoenix-motif reds and golds, but she let this feeling pass.

Within the tent of the sultana, Zahashiq had expressed that she - like Colpeia - had an auspicious sense of what trade relations could be between the Eclipse Syndicate and the Shafise - a tribe known throughout the sands as the Eclipse Weavers. Nonetheless, the venerable woman requested Aranya to further describe what sort of organization the Eclipse Syndicate was

The arcanist explained that the syndicate had originally been an entirely underworld organization, headed by her very dear friend, Opheron the pyromancer, who had recently retired.

“While we've still kept much of its ‘black market’ operating methods,” said Aranya. “I've had ideas to refine it, broaden it with fresh directions, and even see it operating in the open... As its namesake, an eclipse, does.” Her words seemed to come inspired in the moment, as she explained, “The sun shines, there is light... But its face is masterfully veiled by the moon.”

Sultana Zahashiq seemed impressed with Aranya’s choice of words, and concurred with an estimation that Colpeia had of the Thalassian woman. “You could have been born among us." The high approval in her tone resonated deeply. By her wizened demeanor, one could guess this was not a compliment she threw around lightly.

Colpeia smirked at the Sultana's remark, and Aranya blushed just a little at the praise.

“Enlighten me of these ideas,” continued the sultana. “By what creeds do you conduct business? And what sorts of items do you typically feature in your wares? I'm certain they must be interesting if you operate free of outside governing power.”

“We hold buyers' and sellers' interests over bureaucratic interests,” the arcanist made no hesitance to reply. “Plenty of what can be termed ‘black market’ is not even necessarily unlawful, but gets around sanctions, ordinances, tariffs, and often for a better price than what trade officials allow. As for items...” Aranya was a bit more thoughtful for a moment, the side of one slender finger coming across her lips for a second. “During Opheron's time as head, a lot of things were illegal or banned, yet moved through the syndicate unhindered,” she admitted. “I want to expand that to almost any goods anyone can't sell for what they’re truly worth.” After a beat, she added, “Not to mention, faction tensions tend to get in the way of free trade with embargoes, at times. How silly of them.” A sly smirk spread across the blood elf’s face.

The sultana chuckled at that last remark. “There is a reason the Shafise have strived for allyship rather than war throughout our timeless presence among the sands. Yes, I'm aware of the nature of a black market,” she said. “What catches my attention is your unprompted reassurance that not all of your activity is unlawful, simply breaking laws that are superfluous or even against any greater good. From the way you speak, I can guess you are a woman who holds ethical business in high regard. Is this true?"

Copleia noded supportively at her sultana, but allowed Aranya to answer for herself.

The Thalassian nodded very solemnly, and replied, “Very much so, Madam Sultana.”

The queen of the Eclipse Weavers what terms the arcanist would see in a trade arrangement with the tribe.

“The syndicate would take a percentage of the value of goods from your tribe, and distribute as far as we reach. Even as far as the Mok'nathal tribe of Outland. And we would open trade from all the worlds we are spread through to you,” answered Aranya. “But unlike other regulated trade, there would be no buyer's tax or trade tax, or fees. No cost to you as the buyer but what you exchange for what  you purchase. The other side of the deal will already have their percentage taken ahead.”

Sultana Zahashiq noted aloud that these were fine promises. “I would, however, like to talk numbers,” she pointed out. “What percentage do you have in mind?”

Aranya gave her standard policy cut for an answer, “No more than ten percent on most goods, but I may have to insist on a hard twelve percent for a few items that may have ordinances against them that make them harder to move or secure.”

The sultana considered this for a moment, her eyes hard with thought. Ultimately she agreed that the terms were well within the reasonable range that the tribe usually dealt in, and the accord was made.

desert flower by rastlion

Outside once again, Aranya was instructed through the Shafisian ceremony of the oath flower, whereby she gave her oath to the entire Tanari tribe that the terms between the Eclipse Syndicate and the Eclipse Weavers would be honored, by herself and all within the syndicate, and that no dishonor or harm would be done to them from the same. Breaking of this oath on her part would require her to ingest the same poisonous desert flower she swore by, and if by anyone else in the syndicate, then she would be bound to personally deliver them to the tribe for justice. This oath would be binding for as long as the sorceress lived, even she she were to step down as head.